Aircraft Fleet

Fleet Development Strategy

Aeroflot Group operates a balanced aircraft fleet and keeps on upgrading it in line with its multi-brand business development strategy.

Over the last five years the Group has invested much effort in standardisation and upgrade of the fleet to improve the efficiency of its airlines. In 2011–2015, the types of aircraft in operation reduced from 18 to 11.

Aeroflot Group aircraft fleet evolution

Active development, standardisation and optimisation of the aircraft fleet helped decrease its average age. Between 2011 and 2015, the average age of aircraft in operation dropped from 10.4 to 6.4 years for Aeroflot Group and from 5.3 to 4.4 years for Aeroflot airline (as at the year end). Aeroflot airline’s fleet is one of the youngest in the world.

262aircraft

in Aeroflot Group fleet (as at 31 December 2015)

4.4years

average age of Aeroflot airline fleet

Number of aircraft in Aeroflot Group fleet as at the year end

Note: As at the end of 2011, 26 aircraft operated by subsidiaries were out of operation as they were being prepared to be phased out.

Average age of aircraft fleet in operation,
years

Aeroflot Group’s approach to fleet management maximises the efficiency of fleet standardisation. For instance, Rossiya, Donavia, and Aurora airlines use Airbus A320 aircraft on their scheduled flights, which enables them to offer passengers a uniform product. The fleet of Pobeda low-cost carrier is completely comprised of Boeing 737-800 aircraft. This type of aircraft is also used by Orenair on charter and tourist flights. The airline uses long-haul Boeing 777-200ERs for flights to remote resorts.

At the same time, it was deemed expedient that Aeroflot airline, which has a larger aircraft fleet and focuses on the premium market segment, should use both Airbus and Boeing aircraft, specifically, medium-haul A320 Family and 737 Family airliners, respectively.

During 2015, 27 aircraft (three Boeing 777s, thirteen Boeing 737s, eight SSJ100s, and three Airbus 319s) were added to the Group’s fleet. Following expiry of the lease period in 2015 and in line with Aeroflot Group’s fleet optimisation in response to the changing market environment, 26 airliners were phased out. Thus, in 2015, the net increase in the Group’s fleet ammounted to by one aircraft.

Note: As at 31 December 2015, one Boeing 737 and one Boeing 767 aircraft were out of operation, six An-148 aircraft were being prepared to be returned to the leasing company, three DHC 8-400 aircraft were being prepared for operation; as at 31 December 2014, five Il-96 aircraft and three Mi-8 helicopters were out of operation, eleven Boeing 737 aircraft and one Airbus A320 aircraft were being prepared to be returned to the leasing company.

Aeroflot Airline Aircraft Fleet

In 2015, the fleet was expanded to include new SSJ 100, Boeing 737-800, and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Il-96 aircraft, which had been out of operation since 2014, were phased out.

Aeroflot airline aircraft fleet

Type of aircraft

31 December 2014

31 December 2015

Change

SSJ100

16

24

8

DHC 8-400

—

3

3

Narrow-body (regional)

16

27

11

Airbus A319

7

5

–2

Airbus A320

63

63

—

Airbus A321

26

26

—

Boeing 737

6

14

8

Narrow-body (Medium-haul)

102

108

6

Airbus A330

22

22

—

Boeing 777

10

13

3

Ил-96-300

5

—

–5

Wide-body (long-haul)

37

35

–2

Total

155

170

15

Note: DHC 8 regional aircraft were purchased by PJSC Aeroflot to be transferred to Aurora airline.

Aeroflot airline fleet by type of aircraft

Aeroflot airline fleet by type of ownership

Subsidiaries Aircraft Fleet

Throughout 2015, subsidiary airlines were optimising their fleet. Orenair was affected the most due to a change in its positioning in the air transportation market. Aurora also continued to optimise its aircraft fleet following changes in the route network.

In 2015, Aeroflot Group’s flight hours per aircraft in operation per day averaged 9.5, up 2.2% y-o-y. The growth was driven by subsidiaries’ fleet optimisation and an increase in the share of narrow body aircraft. Aeroflot airline’s average flight hours per aircraft in operation per day increased by 1.9% to 10.3 hours.

Flight hours, thousand hours

Average flight hours per aircraft in operation per day, hours

Note: The number of aircraft in operation in the reporting year is calculated as the average of the number of aircraft as at the start and the end of the period.

Fuel Efficiency

High fuel efficiency is an important benefit of the young fleet. Fuel costs account for a major part of an airline’s expenses. Their share in Aeroflot Group’s 2015 operating costs amounted to 25.4%. New airliners feature various technical solutions, which enable a reduction in fuel and other operating costs. Specifically, since 2014 Aeroflot has been operating the most advanced Airbus A320 Family airliners equipped with new aerodynamic wing tips (sharklets). Their main advantage is a 4% reduction in fuel consumption (according to Airbus), increased flight range, and improved takeoff performance.

Operating a young aircraft fleet enabled optimisation of maintenance costs and reduced environmental footprint through much lower harmful CO2 and NOx emissions to the atmosphere.